During the last couple of months since my husband graduated from the Colony, I have seen on a number of occasions how easily, but for God’s grace and strength, I can default back to my old way of doing things. You know the drill -worry, anxiety, fear, control -all those things that don’t work and make us, and our husbands, crazy!

A couple months ago at our Friday night women’s meeting during FFC weekend we talked about how our brain has certain “well-worn paths” that it likes to take. (I know mine does. How about you?) And, like getting out of a deep rut on an old west wagon train trail, to go a different way takes a lot of effort at first. But, if you keep persisting in that new path, eventually that will become the well-worn one, and the one you more automatically “default” to. I have found myself in the position of making choices – old path or new path? My way or God’s way? Way of confusion and unrest, or way of peace? Seems like a no-brainer doesn’t it? It IS a no-brainer, yet sometimes I still find myself on that old path of worry.

The Lord keeps bringing to mind a passage that DeEtta had me memorize. Isaiah 43:18-19 (NIV) Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. The NKJV says, I will even make a road in the wilderness. I have been looking at those verses in terms of my husband – to forget the things that happened before because he is a new creation in Christ! Old things are past, all things have become new! (2 Cor. 5:17) Praise the Lord!

But, even just this morning, the Lord is showing me those verses in light of me. I don’t need to do things the way I did them before. He has done a new thing, not just in my husband’s life, but in my life as well! And He is making that new way, that new road, in my mind – that new “wagon trail.” He is doing the same for you! Sisters, let’s keep our eyes fixed on the roadmap of God’s Word. He shows us the new path, the better path. Let’s make sure we choose it.

Stacey Poplawski
WOC Graduate

DIGGING DEEPER

Psalm 139
16 Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of them,
the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.

Yesterday’s Victory Call ended with me being afraid, much afraid to get into the lake with my friends. All I could think was, “If I let go of the ladder to hold one of their hands that meant that I wouldn’t be safe; I wouldn’t be secure. I could sink, drown or die.” That is what I thought. So I made a decision and made up my mind. I got out of the water and I was on my way back to my room, but God sent me a reminder. One of the girls that I came to the lake with me took hold of me, looked me in the eye and said “Antionetta, yes you can! You can do this! God has not given you the spirit of fear but of power and love and a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7. When we open our hands and let go of the very things that we think we have to hold on to, the things that we think will keep us safe and secure, then there is room for God to hold our hand, room for blessings and love. The Word of God helped me decide to go back in to the water. I put on a float, went slowly down the ladder and into the water. Step by step, I took my time moving away from my comfort zone. As I floated and pushed myself out towards the other girls, I felt a sense of freedom! I thought, “My God is bigger than the sea and yet close enough to carry me.”

The very thing that I was afraid of gave me peace. When we try to control our own circumstances, we go against the will of God. I’ve learned, when we let go, God has our back. How about you? Are there areas in your life that you might be trying to control? Are there any circumstances in your life where you are afraid to trust God, because you don’t feel secure? How many times have you said, “Because I am not comfortable, I’m not going to do this or that?” How will you trust God to have your back?

Antionetta Allen
America’s Keswick Summer Staff

DIGGING DEEPER
Psalm 139
15 My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret,
intricately woven in the depths of the earth.

Growing up in Staten Island, swimming wasn’t one of the activities that was a part of my life. There was a neighborhood pool, but I never thought much about swimming, because I was busy doing so many other fun things. Then I came to America’s Keswick, and guess what, there is a lake and a pool! Have you ever been too afraid to do something because you didn’t feel secure? Well, I confess, I have. Let me share a moment where God took me from fear to faith.

One day, the girls and I were coming from the prayer tower, which is on the grounds near the upper lake. As we were walking along the Keswick beach I couldn’t help but notice how peaceful and cool the water looked. My thoughts were interrupted as some of the girls suggested that we should go swimming off the deep dock. I said, “Okay, you girls go ahead and I’m going to go back to my room, because I can’t swim.” They said, “Ah, come on, you can use a life jacket. It will hold you up.” So, very reluctantly, I agreed. At the dock they secured me in a floatation device. Then ever so carefully, I began to descend the ladder, holding on to it as tightly as I possibly could – hands as well as feet. I knew the ladder was secure, so that meant I was safe. I knew that as long as I held on tightly to the cold poles, I wasn’t going to sink. I wasn’t going to drown or die because I was holding on, I felt secure. Anyway, as the dock became a little bit more hectic with the other girls, I was in the way of traffic. They urged me to let go and hold onto their hands, but none of us could touch the bottom. All I could think was, “If I let go of the ladder to hold one of their hands that meant that I wouldn’t be safe; I wouldn’t be secure. I could sink, drown or die.” That is what I thought….

Tomorrow, I’ll share the conclusion of how God led me from fear to faith. Until then, ask yourself, are there any circumstances in your life where you are afraid to trust God, because you don’t feel secure? Talk to Him and allow the truth of His indwelling Word to minister grace and truth to your hearts.

Antionetta Allen
America’s Keswick Summer Staff

DIGGING DEEPER – Psalm 139
13 For you formed my inward parts;
you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works;
my soul knows it very well.

I remember clearly when I was pregnant with my son, Jake. I was having an ultrasound and the doctor said, “Mrs. Hunt, you are 17 1/2 weeks pregnant.” My first reaction was to be amazed at the evidence of God. They did not tell me I was 17 weeks or 18 weeks but 17 1/2. That is how precise God’s design is. Our daughter is expecting her 3 child right now and we pray often this prayer for our newest grandson as God knits him together in secret.

This week’s meditation is a continuation of Psalm 139 Vs. 13-16
13For you formed my inward parts;
you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.
14I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret,
intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
16Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of them,
the days that were formed for me,
when as yet there was none of them.

COMMENTARY: “God was active as the unformed substance (embryo) grew and developed; indeed he is the one who formed my inward parts and knitted me together. God saw him and even had written in his book, every one of …the days that were formed for me. The worshiper realizes that even before his mother knew she was pregnant, the Lord was already showing his care for him. His personal life began in the womb…, and God had already laid out its course.” [ESV Study Bible notes: pg. 1116]

Diane Hunt is the Director of Addiction Recovery and Development at America’s KESWICK. In addition to her Keswick responsibilities which keep her busy, she loves to read, write and teach, travel and laugh with her grandchildren. Diane has been married to her husband John over 25 years. She has 2 children, 2+ grandchildren, 3 step-children, and 7 step-grandchildren.

7 Where shall I go from your Spirit?
Or where shall I flee from your presence?
8 If I ascend to heaven, you are there!
If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!
9 If I take the wings of the morning
and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
10 even there your hand shall lead me,
and your right hand shall hold me.
11If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me,
and the light about me be night,”
12 even the darkness is not dark to you;
the night is bright as the day,
for darkness is as light with you.

Points to ponder: Ever feel all alone? Like no one understands or cares? Like you could fall off the boat and no one would yell, “woman overboard?” My sister, God never, never, ever takes His eyes off you. And better than that, you are never, ever, ever out of His presence. There is no place you can go that would remove you from His presence. In the darkest dark, He sees you. In the fiercest storm, He sees you. In the deepest pit, He sees you. In the latest hour, He sees you. On the coldest night, He sees you. In the busiest room, He sees you. In the middle of the night, He sees you. You notice that the verse says “even there your hand shall lead me.” He doesn’t just see you, He’s with you, close enough to hold your hand. He is your Environment. Praise be to the Lord.

Love ya,
Diane

Diane Hunt is the Director of Addiction Recovery Ministries and Director of Development at America’s KESWICK. In addition to her Keswick responsibilities which keep her busy, she loves to read, write and teach, travel and laugh with her grandchildren. Diane has been married to her husband John over 25 years. She has 2 children, 2+ grandchildren, 3 step-children, and 7 step-grandchildren.

Isaiah 60:19c …but the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory.

As Christ-followers we are different. Yes, we seek purity. Yes, we seek truth. Yes, we choose to obey. Yes, we die to self. Yes, we read our Bibles and pray. Yes, we love. But none of those things are the real difference in us. They are all a result or evidence of the real difference in us.

We are different not because of what we do! Hear me, my friend. We do differently because of HE Who dwells within our very soul. He whose Spirit dwells within.

We are different because He Who is light (John 8:12- I am the Light of the world) resides within us. He is our glory. He makes us different.

As we nurture our relationship with Him – He is our delight. That love relationship is evident to those around us because His light, His glory cannot be hidden – it is bursting out all over our face. He is our everlasting light, He is our glory.

Diane Diane Hunt is the Director of Addiction Recovery Ministries and Director of Development at America’s KESWICK. In addition to her Keswick responsibilities which keep her busy, she loves to read, write and teach, travel and laugh with her grandchildren. Diane has been married to her husband John over 25 years. She has 2 children, 2+ grandchildren, 3 step-children, and 7 step-grandchildren.

DIGGING DEEPER
Psalm 139
11 If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me,
and the light about me be night,”
12 even the darkness is not dark to you;
the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you.

My husband and I had opportunity to visit the Air Force Academy during our recent trip in Colorado. The Academy is situated on the mountainside overlooking the trees and city below. The chapel itself is magnificent – beyond adequate description. Several new recruits were running through drills and we were impressed to watch for a short while. One thing we learned while at the Academy was their honor code – “I will not lie, cheat or steal nor will tolerate those who do.” This is very much a part of their training for the four years they are at the Academy.

It got me thinking, IF we as Christians had an honor code what might it be? Perhaps we could call it a Victory Code. It would need to be something simple and foundational to our beliefs, a statement that would direct our attitudes and actions. After some thought, this is what came to me: I will love Jesus. I will love others. I will die to self.

Think about it a moment. If we considered these three statements every time we made a decision, every time we interacted with another person, or even as we plan out our days – If we live out the truth of these three simple statements through the power and presence of His indwelling Spirit – I believe we will daily walk in gracious obedience and Christ-like love.

Diane

Diane Hunt is the Director of Addiction Recovery Ministries and Director of Development at America’s KESWICK. In addition to her Keswick responsibilities which keep her busy, she loves to read, write and teach, travel and laugh with her grandchildren. Diane has been married to her husband John over 25 years. She has 2 children, 2+ grandchildren, 3 step-children, and 7 step-grandchildren.

DIGGING DEEPER
Psalm 139
9 If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
10 even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me.

The lips of the righteous feed many… Prov. 10:21

What kind of “food” have you been eating lately?
I have been richly “fed” by words that I’ve been hearing lately.

There was a time in my life when I was longing for friends. A good friend of mine left for the mission field and I felt alone. Time of adjustment. She came home on furlow and I remember her asking me who I was hanging with now. And I didn’t have an answer.

But OVER TIME God has seen fit to open my world to numerous friends that have
truely been blessings to me. I must say that technology has helped with this! However, there
is nothing like being able to SIT in the presence of a sister in Christ and be “fed” by her
words.

I recently sent this verse to a friend and told her that I have been “fed” by her lips and she
in turn told me that I don’t serve up a bad meal myself! LOL!

Lately, I’ve found myself in conversations about Scripture and what God has been teaching
me and others. My soul has been “fed”!

How is your soul? Are you being “fed” by the company you keep? Are you longing for
fellowship? Sometimes God wants just you, so He allows you to be alone, to get your attention.
And there are times when He wants you to be “fed” by others and you in turn feed them..

There is nothing like speaking the wonders of God with other sisters in the LORD! It’s a
little “taste” of heaven!! May your words today “feed” many.

Sue Mercer
WOC Graduate

DIGGING DEEPER
Psalm 139
7 Where shall I go from your Spirit?
Or where shall I flee from your presence?
8 If I ascend to heaven, you are there!
If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!

If ever you considered meditating on Scripture or memorizing the Word, this would be in the top 10 Scriptures I would recommend you memorize, Psalm 139. We are in week 2of a 5 week series on this Psalm. It is packed full of truths that are so often misunderstood or unknown. I believe several of the basic counseling issues I have dealt with over the years are addressed in this Psalm. Venture forth…

7 Where shall I go from your Spirit?
Or where shall I flee from your presence?
8 If I ascend to heaven, you are there!
If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!
9 If I take the wings of the morning
and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
10 even there your hand shall lead me,
and your right hand shall hold me.
11 If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me,
and the light about me be night,”
12 even the darkness is not dark to you;
the night is bright as the day,
for darkness is as light with you.

Commentary:
“The next section makes it clear that there is no way the singer can escape such knowledge; there is nowhere in the universe that God will not be present to lead and hold the believer (vv.7-10), and nowhere too dark for God to see him (vv.11-12). Some have supposed that the impulse to flee (v.7) comes from a guilty conscience, or from a desire for independence, but this is unlikely; these verses take delight in the fact that God will “lead” him, an entirely positive benefit…and “hold” him…There is no play where he is beyond God’s care…” [ESV Study Bible-Study notes pg. 1116]

Love ya,
Diane

Diane Hunt is the Director of Addiction Recovery Ministries and Director of Development at America’s KESWICK. In addition to her Keswick responsibilities which keep her busy, she loves to read, write and teach, travel and laugh with her grandchildren. Diane has been married to her husband John over 25 years. She has 2 children, 2+ grandchildren, 3 step-children, and 7 step-grandchildren.

1 O LORD, you have searched me and known me!
2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
you discern my thoughts from afar.
3 You search out my path and my lying down
and are acquainted with all my ways.
4 Even before a word is on my tongue,
behold, O LORD, you know it altogether.
5 You hem me in, behind and before,
and lay your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
it is high; I cannot attain it.

Points to Ponder:
Just considering the truths in these few verses gives us pause. God knows you. He KNOWS you. Every detail, every thought, every struggle, every concern, every delight, every smile, every tear. He surrounds you. The God of the universe KNOWS you. Meditate on that simple yet profound thought today.

Diane

Diane Hunt is the Director of Addiction Recovery Ministries and Acting Director of Development at America’s KESWICK. In addition to her Keswick responsibilities which keep her busy, she loves to read, write and teach, travel and laugh with her grandchildren. Diane has been married to her husband John over 25 years. She has 2 children, 2+ grandchildren, 3 step-children, and 7 step-grandchildren.